CITY COWBOY

COLORADO

RODEO

BLUE HAIR LA

what if the open window hadn’t temptedifmom and dad were still awakeifmy ride was latehow would it all look now?

what if the prints disappeared from the glassif he’d remembered to lock his front doorifthe moon didn’t soar through the paneindicating the liquor he stored in the drawer?

what if the vodka had never touched tongue?

what if he’d seen me before it was done?

he’d never have finished the rest

but he didand after he swallowed

a paleness appeared in his flesh

do you remember?I asked him

he leaned and he squinted and stared for awhile

I’m the girl that I’ll betyou’d hoped you’dforgetthe one that you left alive

what if he’d had a gun or a bladeI’d have been sent to Youjust like him

but he didn’tYou made sure of thatand before long blood spilled from either end

as he bled out I recitedthe verse you providedin my dreams just one night before

Ben I saidhow’s the vodka?I added a touch of my own little flair…if ever a girl walks alone in the streetit makes certain that you can’t be therethe judge and the jury may have been blindbut you forget there’s one Who sees allHe sent me to you and bestowed the powerof poison and watching you fall

what if he hadn’t pinned me in the dirtand given motive for revengemy life would have been perfect –– never knowing the worst

but it happenedI saw You descend

with one moment changedmy life would be gonethe real world I’d never have seen

but it couldn’t be differentI know that You did this and know that You did it for meI’d never have met YouI’d never have seenmy power to kill thosethat justice misdeemedI am your soldierI am your machineand now in the moonlightI can roam free